Tray for clamping and transporting containers against accidental displacement



Nov. 14, 1961 w w s ETAL 3,008,618

TRAY FOR CLAMPING AND TRANSPORTING CONTAINERS AGAINST ACCIDENTAL DISPLACEMENT Filed June 23, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 L.W.Wnrr SERENA 5 WA 775 INVENTORS 1 I I BY I ,1 I

ATTORNEYS Nov. 14, 1961 w. WATTS ETAL 3,008,613

R CLAMPING AND TRANSPORTING CONTAINERS AGAINST ACCIDENTAL DISPLACEMENT TRAY FO Filed June 23; 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LW WA 775 SERENH 3.WA 77s INVENTORS ATTORNEYS.

objects or containers of various shapes and sizes,

United States Patent Lorenza W. Watts and Serena S. Watts, both of Timberlake Road, Lynchburg, Va. Filed June 23, 1960, Ser. No.,38,253 2 Claims. (Cl. 224-48) TRAY FOR CONTAINERS This invention relates to tray construction, and more particularly to trays specially designed for transporting 1n such a way that they will be securely supported in upright po s1- tions on the tray against tipping or toppling over, spilling the contents of the containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tray of this character having an adjustable clamp for clamping a container in which flower arrangements are held to insure against disarrangement of the flowers carried thereon, during transportation from one location to another, by vehicle or otherwise.

Still another object of the invention 18 to provide a tray of this character having supporting legs wherein the tray may be supported in spaced relation w1th a supporting surface to permit ready handling of the tray to insure the arrangement remaining intact during movement or transportation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangemenbof parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a tray constructed 1n accordance with the invention, illustrating the central clamping members of the tray as clamping a c1rcular vessel.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmental end elevational view of the bottom of the tray.

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmental sectional view taken on line 88 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmental sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the tray comprises a base 5 having hand holds 6 at its ends, which hand holds are secured preferably by means of dowels 7 which are secured in openings in the hand holds or handles 6 and extend into openings form-ed in the ends of the base 5, as shown by FIGURE 6 of the drawings.

The base is provided with slots 8 extending longitudinally thereof, the slots 8 being spaced from the longitudinal side edges of the base, as better shown by FIGURE 1 of the drawings.

3,008,618 Patented Nov. 14, 1961 The reference character 9 indicates clamping bars which are held in place by means of the bolts 10 that extend through openings formed adjacent to the ends of the clamping bars 9, the bolts being provided with wing nuts 11 threaded on one of their respective ends, while the other ends of the bolts are supplied with heads 12 that contact the lower surface of the base 5 and cooperate with the nuts 11 in securing the clamping bars 9 in various positions of adjustment.

The clamping bars 9 are formed with curved recesses 13 disposed substantially intermediate the ends thereof, which curved recesses are supplied with sponge rubber facings 14 which are designed to engage the object supported by the tray to hold the object against accidental displacement.

As indicated by FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the clamping bars 9 are arranged adjacent to the ends of the base 5 and may be slid longitudinally of the base to adjust the clamping bars for clamping an object of a predetermined size.

Cooperating with the clamping bars 9, are opposed clamping bars 15, which clamping bars 15 are provided with elongated openings 16 extending longitudinally of the bars 15. These bars 15 have their inner ends curved at 17, the curved surfaces being faced with sponge rubber facings 18 to set up friction between the opposed clamping bars and object gripped thereby to prevent accidental displacement.

The elongated openings 16 accommodate the securing bolts 19 that extend through the elongated slots 8, the bolts 19 having heads 20 that cooperate with the Wing nuts 21 threaded on the upper ends of said bofts, in clamping the opposed clamping bars in their positions of adjustment.

In order that the tray together with its flower arrangements or objects clamped thereon, may be effectively lifted and handled, supporting legs 22 having rubber extensions 23, are provided, and extend below the base, as clearly shown by FIG. 2 of the drawings.

The lower ends of the supporting legs are constructed preferably of rubber or similar friction means to prevent slipping or sliding of the tray on a supporting surface on which the tray is positioned.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided a tray which is specially designed for use in supporting flower arrangements in the original vases or containers, so that they may be readily transported from place to place and the flower arrangements maintained in their arranged positions against disarrangement caused by jarring or jolting during transportation of the arrangements by motor vehicle or otherwise.

In view of the foregoing detailed disclosure, it is believed that a further description and illustration of the tray forming the subject matter of the present invention, is unnecessary for a clear understanding of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A tray and a receptacle holder comprising, in combination, a substantially rectangular base having oppositely disposed parallel sides and ends, portions of said base defining elongated slots adjacent and parallel to said sides and terminating adjacent said ends, a first pair of clamp bars parallel to said ends, said clamp bars having portions in overlying relation to said slots and including means engageable therewith adjustably securing the same to said base, a second pair of clamp bars having portions thereof defining elongated slots therein, said second pair of clamp bars in overlying angular relation to said elongated slot in said base, means engaging each of said second pair of clamp bars and said elongated slots therein and in said base adjustably securing the same to said base and portions of said first and second clamping bars defining receptacle engaging surfaces.

2. A tray and a receptacle holder as defined in claim 1 10 wherein said adjustable securing means for said first and second pairs of clamping bars include separable fastener means to removably secure said clamp bars to said base whereby upon removal thereof the plane surface of the base forms a serving tray.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 319,521 Smith June 9, 1885 1,490,608 Gilmour Apr. 15, 1924 1,640,011 Somerfleck Aug. 23, 1927 2,182,154 Lancaster Dec. 5, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 38,148 Austria July 26, 1909 248,226 Great Britain Mar. 4, 1926 

